Unleash Precision and Power: The Hornady 30 Cal .308 200 gr ELD-X Bullet

For serious hunters and long-range enthusiasts who demand unparalleled performance and ethical terminal ballistics, the Hornady ELD-X 30 Cal .308 200 gr Extremely Low Drag eXpanding bullet (SKU: 3076) stands as a pinnacle of modern projectile design. This isn't just another hunting bullet; it's a meticulously engineered component designed to deliver devastatingly effective results, whether you're taking down a trophy elk at extended distances or simply aiming for pinpoint accuracy on the range. Crafted with Hornady's unwavering commitment to innovation and quality, the ELD-X combines match-grade precision with reliable, controlled expansion across a vast spectrum of velocities, making it the ultimate choice for medium to large game.

Why Choose the Hornady ELD-X for Your Next Hunt?

When the shot of a lifetime presents itself, you need absolute confidence in your ammunition. The Hornady ELD-X is specifically engineered to eliminate the uncertainties often associated with long-range hunting. It addresses critical challenges such as maintaining ballistic integrity over distance and ensuring consistent, humane energy transfer upon impact. This bullet solves the problem of traditional hunting bullets losing their effectiveness or expanding unpredictably at various ranges and impact velocities.

• Unrivaled Ballistic Performance: Featuring the highest-in-class ballistic coefficients (BC), the ELD-X minimizes drag, retains velocity, and resists wind deflection better than conventional hunting bullets. This translates directly to flatter trajectories and more predictable impacts at extreme ranges.
• Consistent Terminal Performance: Unlike many bullets that either fragment too quickly or fail to expand at lower impact velocities, the ELD-X is designed for controlled expansion. Its robust construction ensures significant weight retention, creating a wide wound channel for swift, ethical kills.
• Technological Superiority: From its revolutionary Heat Shield® tip to its advanced AMP® bullet jacket, every aspect of the ELD-X is optimized for peak performance.

The Science Behind Superiority: Key Technologies of the ELD-X

The Hornady ELD-X isn't just a collection of features; it's a symphony of innovative technologies working in harmony to deliver exceptional results. Understanding these core components reveals why this bullet performs so consistently and effectively.

The Game-Changing Heat Shield® Tip

Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of the ELD-X is its patented Heat Shield® tip. Traditional polymer tips on long-range bullets can melt and deform due to aerodynamic heating as the bullet flies through the air at high velocities. This deformation changes the tip's shape, drastically altering the bullet's ballistic coefficient and negatively impacting its trajectory and accuracy downrange. The Heat Shield® tip, however, is manufactured from a special polymer that is immune to the effects of aerodynamic heating.

• Maintains Integrity: The tip retains its perfect aerodynamic form throughout the entire flight path, from the muzzle to the target, regardless of distance.
• Preserves BC: By maintaining its shape, the Heat Shield® tip ensures that the bullet's high ballistic coefficient remains consistent, leading to incredibly precise trajectories and reduced wind drift even at extended ranges where every milliradian counts.
• Initiates Expansion: Beyond its aerodynamic benefits, the Heat Shield® tip also plays a crucial role in the bullet's terminal performance, initiating rapid yet controlled expansion upon impact.

Advanced Manufacturing Process (AMP®) Bullet Jacket

The quality of a bullet's jacket is paramount to its accuracy and integrity. Hornady's AMP® (Advanced Manufacturing Process) bullet jackets are renowned for their near-perfect concentricity and uniformity. This precision manufacturing process ensures:

• Sub-Minute-of-Angle (MOA) Accuracy: The exceptional uniformity of the jacket contributes directly to the ELD-X's match-grade accuracy, enabling tighter groups and more confident shots.
• Consistent Performance: Every bullet in a box, and indeed every box in a case, performs virtually identically, reducing variables and increasing predictability for the shooter.
• Durability: The robust jacket provides the structural integrity needed for the bullet to withstand the stresses of firing and impact while facilitating controlled expansion.

The High InterLock® Ring

Terminal performance is non-negotiable for hunting bullets. The ELD-X features a thick shank of the jacket combined with a high InterLock® ring. This design is crucial for ensuring the core and jacket remain together, especially during high-velocity impacts. The InterLock® ring is Hornady's signature feature, mechanically locking the core to the jacket.

• Superior Weight Retention: This unique bonding mechanism typically results in 50-60% weight retention after expansion, maximizing the bullet's ability to penetrate deep and create a wide, devastating wound channel.
• Controlled Expansion: Despite its robust construction, the InterLock® ring does not hinder expansion. Instead, it ensures the bullet expands reliably into a mushroom shape, transferring maximum energy to the target while preventing excessive fragmentation.
• Ethical Hunting: For hunters, this means more humane, one-shot kills, minimizing suffering and ensuring a clean harvest.

Streamlined Secant Ogive and Optimum Boattail Design

Aerodynamic efficiency is key to long-range success. The ELD-X boasts a streamlined secant ogive, an advanced bullet profile that significantly reduces drag as the bullet travels through the air. Coupled with an optimum boattail design, these features minimize air resistance, allowing the bullet to:

• Maintain Velocity: Retain more of its initial speed over distance, leading to less bullet drop and more energy delivered downrange.
• Lessen Wind Drift: Be less susceptible to crosswinds, providing a significant advantage in challenging hunting conditions.
• Improve External Ballistics: Contribute to the ELD-X's exceptionally high ballistic coefficients, ensuring predictable and precise trajectories.

Real-World Applications: Where Does the ELD-X Excel?

The Hornady ELD-X 30 Cal .308 200 gr bullet is a versatile performer, excelling in a variety of hunting scenarios and for precision shooting applications.

• Long-Range Big Game Hunting: This bullet is purpose-built for extended-range engagements on medium to large game. Whether you're targeting elk, moose, caribou, or large deer species across open plains or mountain valleys, the ELD-X delivers the necessary precision and terminal performance to ensure ethical one-shot kills. Its ability to expand reliably at lower impact velocities means it performs just as effectively at 600 yards as it does at 100 yards.
• Precision Hunting in Challenging Conditions: When wind is a factor, the ELD-X's high BC and superior aerodynamics shine. Hunters needing to make precise shots in gusty conditions will appreciate the reduced wind drift and predictable trajectory.
• Reloading for Peak Performance: For reloaders, the ELD-X bullet offers the opportunity to craft custom ammunition tailored to their specific rifle and hunting needs. Its consistent weight, dimensions, and concentricity make it an ideal component for handloaders seeking to achieve maximum accuracy and performance from their .30 caliber cartridges.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hornady ELD-X Bullets

Is the Hornady ELD-X suitable for deer hunting?

Absolutely. While the 200-grain .308 ELD-X is robust enough for larger game like elk and moose, its controlled expansion and reliable weight retention make it an excellent choice for deer. It provides ample energy transfer to ensure quick, humane harvests without excessive meat damage, provided you select the appropriate cartridge for your deer hunting distances.

What caliber rifles are best for the 200-grain .308 ELD-X?

The .308 diameter of this 200-grain bullet makes it compatible with a wide range of popular .30 caliber cartridges. For optimal performance, especially at longer ranges, cartridges with sufficient case capacity to push this heavier bullet to higher velocities are ideal. Excellent pairings include:

• .300 Winchester Magnum (.300 Win Mag): A classic choice for long-range hunting, capable of driving the 200 gr ELD-X to impressive velocities.
• .300 PRC (Precision Rifle Cartridge): Designed specifically for long-range precision, the .300 PRC perfectly complements the ELD-X's characteristics, maximizing its ballistic potential.
• .30-06 Springfield: A venerable cartridge that can effectively launch the 200 gr ELD-X, especially in rifles with a faster twist rate.
• .308 Winchester: While the 200 gr is on the heavier side for the .308 Win, it can still be an excellent choice for those seeking maximum terminal performance and bullet stability at moderate to longer ranges, particularly with specific powders and barrel twist rates.
• .300 Weatherby Magnum, .30 Nosler, and other high-performance .30 caliber magnums: These cartridges can also harness the full potential of the 200 gr ELD-X.

Always consult your rifle's manufacturer specifications for recommended bullet weights and twist rates to ensure optimal stabilization and accuracy.

How does the ELD-X maintain its performance at various impact velocities?

The genius of the ELD-X lies in its ability to expand consistently across a broad range of impact velocities. The Heat Shield® tip initiates expansion even at lower velocities encountered at extreme ranges, while the robust InterLock® ring and thick jacket ensure controlled expansion and high weight retention at higher velocities found at closer distances. This "all-range" capability means you don't have to worry about your bullet performing differently based on how far away your target is.

What is the significance of the .597 G1 Ballistic Coefficient (BC) for this bullet?

A G1 BC of .597 is exceptionally high for a hunting bullet of this weight and caliber. A high BC indicates that the bullet is very aerodynamic and experiences less drag. In practical terms, this means:

• Less Bullet Drop: Your bullet will fly flatter, requiring less elevation adjustment at longer ranges.
• Reduced Wind Drift: The bullet will be less affected by crosswinds, making it easier to account for environmental factors.
• Higher Retained Energy: More energy is carried to the target, ensuring deeper penetration and more devastating wound channels, which is critical for ethical hunting at extended distances.

The Hornady Difference: A Legacy of Excellence

Hornady has been a trusted name in ammunition and bullet manufacturing for decades, with a reputation built on precision, innovation, and a deep understanding of shooter needs. The ELD-X bullet line is a testament to this legacy, representing the culmination of extensive research, development, and rigorous testing. When you choose Hornady ELD-X, you're not just buying a bullet; you're investing in the confidence that comes from using a product designed and manufactured by experts who are passionate about shooting and hunting. Hornady's commitment to quality ensures that every 3076 ELD-X bullet you load will perform exactly as expected, shot after shot, hunt after hunt.

Whether you are preparing for a challenging long-range hunt or meticulously crafting precision loads for target shooting, the Hornady ELD-X 30 Cal .308 200 gr bullet offers an unparalleled combination of match-grade accuracy, high ballistic efficiency, and devastating terminal performance. This bullet simplifies the complex equation of long-range ballistics, providing a reliable and ethical solution for serious hunters. Acquire your Hornady ELD-X bullets today and experience the difference precision engineering makes. These exceptional bullets, along with a wide range of other premium shooting components, are readily available at DEGuns.com, your trusted source for all your shooting and hunting needs.

Product Specifications

Attribute	Detail
Brand	Hornady
Model	ELD-X
Caliber	30 Cal
Bullet Diameter	.308
Weight	200 gr
Bullet Type	Extremely Low Drag-eXpanding
Bullet Tip Material	Heat Shield® Polymer
Core Material	Lead
Bullet Coating	Copper
Jacket Material	AMP® (Advanced Manufacturing Process)
Cannelure	No
Application	Medium-Large Game Hunting
Ballistic Coefficient (G1)	.597
Sectional Density	.301
Rounds Per Box	100
Boxes Per Case	15
SKU	3076
MPN	3076
UPC	090255230765